South Africa lifted partial restrictions on Sunday including the sale of alcohol on weekdays, movement of people between provinces and relaxed night curfew hours as daily coronavirus infections show signs of decline.

"The latest figures suggest that we have largely passed the peak of the third wave of infections," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation.

The government would also open coronavirus vaccinations to people in the 18-34 age group starting September 1, said Ramaphosa.